Inter Religious
The Archbishop of Canterbury is widely respected as a leading advocate and proponent of dialogue between the different faiths. His inter religious engagement is rooted in a concern for the good of humanity in society and a conviction that religious belief and practice have immense contributions to make to the common good.
This potential is heightened when communities of faith understand each other and work together on inter religious relations or dialogue.
Furthermore both the Church of England and the Churches of the global Anglican Communion are increasingly required to be able to engage with people and communities of other religions around them; and in ways that are consistent with the Church's understanding of its gospel based mission and ministry.
The Archbishop is therefore leading a process of engagement with an increasingly religiously plural English society, as well as with those parts of the world where religious plurality has been normal for centuries.
He has taken forward the Building Bridges Seminars, initiatives begun by his predecessor that bring together Christian and Muslim scholars from across the world and regularly speaks on Christian themes to audiences of different faiths. He has supported frameworks in the UK for dialogue within which greater understanding and mutual respect can develop, such as the Christian Muslim Forum and the further development of the Hindu Christian Forum. He has also formed close relationships with the Chief Rabbi and Jewish communities through the Council of Christians and Jews and in support for events such as the annual Holocaust Memorial Day.
Recent items relating to Inter Religious dialogue are shown below:
June 2012
Archbishop visits Hindu Temple to learn about Near Neighbours programme
7 June 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Williams, visited Shri Vallabha Nidhi Hindu Temple in Waltham Forest,…
May 2012
House of Lords debate on role and contribution of faith communities
29 May 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, made a contribution to Lord Sacks’ debate in the House…
Archbishop hosts fifth multi-faith dialogue on international development
9 May 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday hosted the fifth multi-faith dialogue on international development…
April 2012
Archbishop speaks at Building Bridges Seminar on Death, Resurrection and Human Destiny
23 April 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, chaired the 11th Building Bridges Seminar in London…
Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminar on Death, Resurrection and Human Destiny
20 April 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will chair the 11th Annual Building Bridges Seminar…
March 2012
Archbishop’s Dialogue with Buddhist Leaders
5 March 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury met with Buddhist leaders at The Buddhist Society’s London headquarters…
February 2012
The Queen attends multi-faith reception at Lambeth Palace
15 February 2012
Archbishop Rowan Williams hosted a multi-faith reception for Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh…
Faith communities display sacred objects to the Queen
15 February 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury welcomed HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to a multi-faith event…
Archbishop's meetings with religious leaders in Jerusalem
3 February 2012
Following a personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Archbishop of Canterbury participated in a number…
January 2012
Archbishop of Canterbury’s video message for Holocaust Memorial Day 2012
27 January 2012
In his video message to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, the Archbishop urges us 'to speak on behalf…